In a bold celebration of creativity and innovation, BMW has once again blurred the lines between automotive engineering and contemporary art. The latest addition to its iconic Art Car series—a fully electric BMW i7 transformed by Korean avant-garde artist Lee Kun-Yong—is not just a vehicle, but a rolling canvas that challenges our perceptions of mobility, aesthetics, and human connection.
As BMW marks 50 years of its Art Car program and 30 years of BMW Korea, this one-off creation is more than a tribute—it’s a statement. Let’s explore how this surreal reinterpretation of a luxury EV is redefining the intersection of art and technology.
🎨 The Artist Behind the Vision: Lee Kun-Yong
Lee Kun-Yong, one of Korea’s most influential experimental artists, is known for his groundbreaking Bodyscape series, where he uses his own movements to create abstract compositions. His philosophy treats art as a bridge—between people, objects, and perspectives. That ethos is vividly reflected in his transformation of the BMW i7, a flagship electric sedan, into a kinetic sculpture.
Kun-Yong’s approach to the Art Car was deeply personal and philosophical. He aimed to “reflect the precision and responsiveness inherent in the dialogue between driver and car,” drawing parallels to his own artistic practice. The result is a vehicle that doesn’t just move—it communicates.
🚗 The Canvas: BMW i7 with M Package
The base for this artistic endeavor is the BMW i7, equipped with the M Package. Known internally as the G70, the i7 is BMW’s electric luxury sedan, boasting cutting-edge tech, opulent interiors, and a powerful dual-motor setup. But in this iteration, performance specs take a back seat to visual storytelling.
Wrapped in a vivid red base, the car features asymmetrical designs on each side. Faces, hearts, leaves, and abstract shapes cascade across the doors, bumpers, hood, and tailgate. The roof pillars and rear deck retain the red foundation, anchoring the visual chaos in a deliberate structure. It’s a surreal, almost dreamlike composition that invites viewers to interpret the car not as a product, but as a narrative.
🖼️ Exhibition and Cultural Impact
The Art Car will be displayed at the BMW Lounge in Seoul from September 3 to 6, alongside 18 miniature BMW Art Cars. On September 4, Kun-Yong will create a new canvas live, inspired by his work on the i7. This event is part of a broader art fair in Seoul’s Gagman district, featuring 120 galleries from 30 countries.
BMW’s commitment to cultural engagement is evident. By integrating the Art Car into a global exhibition program and collaborating with artists like Kun-Yong, the brand reinforces its role not just as a mobility innovator, but as a patron of the arts.
⚡ Art Meets Innovation: A New Kind of Luxury
The BMW i7 itself is a marvel of modern engineering. With features like a 31-inch rear theater screen, crystal interior accents, and advanced autonomous driving capabilities, it represents the pinnacle of electric luxury. But Kun-Yong’s intervention adds a new layer—emotional resonance.
In an age where EVs are often judged by range and efficiency, this Art Car reminds us that design and meaning matter too. It challenges the sterile, tech-centric narrative of electric vehicles and injects it with soul.
🌍 A Global Legacy: 50 Years of BMW Art Cars
BMW’s Art Car program began in 1975 with Alexander Calder’s painted BMW 3.0 CSL. Since then, artists like Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons have contributed to the series, each interpreting the car as a medium for expression. The program has evolved from a niche experiment into a global cultural phenomenon.
This latest i7 Art Car continues that legacy, but with a twist—it’s electric, it’s asymmetrical, and it’s deeply rooted in Korean avant-garde philosophy. It’s not just a celebration of art, but a reflection of how mobility itself is changing.
💬 Final Thoughts: A Moving Dialogue
The BMW i7 Art Car by Lee Kun-Yong is more than a visual spectacle—it’s a conversation starter. It invites us to rethink what a car can be: not just a machine, but a medium for connection, creativity, and cultural exchange.
As the automotive world races toward electrification, BMW’s Art Car program offers a refreshing counterpoint. It reminds us that even in a future dominated by algorithms and efficiency, there’s room for emotion, artistry, and human touch.